Systems and Methods for Use in a Vehicle for Detecting External Events

ABSTRACT

There is provided a vehicle having a first microphone positioned to receive sounds originating from outside of the vehicle, a first analog-to-digital converter configured to covert the sounds received by the first microphone to digital audio signals, a first key to be carried by a first driver of the vehicle, a memory having a first plurality of voice commands stored therein, and a hardware processor. The hardware processor is configured to detect proximity of the first key to the vehicle, enable a voice recognition, in response to detecting the proximity of the first key to the vehicle, process the digital audio signals received by the first microphone, after enabling the voice recognition, to detect a first voice command of the first plurality of voice commands from the first driver, and altering a first setting of the vehicle, in response to detecting the first voice command from the first driver.

RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/170,066, filed Jun. 2, 2015,which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into thepresent application.

BACKGROUND

As automotive luxury has been increasing, the isolation of the driverfrom the outside world has increased due to features, such as noisecancellation and double insulation windows. These features are great forincreasing driver comfort and relaxation, but drastically reduce adriver's awareness of events occurring outside of the vehicle.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for use in avehicle for detecting external events, substantially as shown in and/ordescribed in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forthmore completely in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 presents an exemplary diagram of an intersection with twovehicles stopped behind a red traffic light;

FIG. 2 presents the intersection of FIG. 1 when the traffic light turnsgreen;

FIG. 3 presents an exemplary vehicle comprising a system for detectingexternal events and taking one or more actions in response thereto,according to one implementation of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 presents the vehicle of FIG. 3 with a plurality of microphonesand/or cameras, according to one implementation of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5 presents the vehicle of FIG. 3 displaying a message on itsdisplay in response to detecting an emergency vehicle, according to oneimplementation of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 presents a flow chart of an exemplary method for detecting soundsexternal to the vehicle and taking one or more actions in responsethereto, according to one implementation of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7 presents a flow chart of an exemplary method for detecting imagesexternal to the vehicle and taking one or more actions in responsethereto, according to one implementation of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description contains specific information pertaining toimplementations in the present disclosure. The drawings in the presentapplication and their accompanying detailed description are directed tomerely exemplary implementations. Unless noted otherwise, like orcorresponding elements among the figures may be indicated by like orcorresponding reference numerals. Moreover, the drawings andillustrations in the present application are generally not to scale, andare not intended to correspond to actual relative dimensions.

FIG. 1 presents diagram 100 showing an intersection, where vehicle 110and vehicle 150 have stopped behind a red light at traffic light 172,and also incoming emergency vehicle 160. As shown in FIG. 1, vehicle 150has obscured the vision of a driver of vehicle 110. For example, vehicle150 may be a sports utility vehicle (SUV) that substantially blocks theright side view of the driver of vehicle 110. In addition, vehicle 110may have its windows and sun roof closed, with the music volume up andits air conditioning fan running on high speed. As such, the driver ofvehicle 110 would not be able to hear any or much of outside noise. FIG.1 further depicts emergency vehicle 160 approaching the intersectiondesignated by traffic lights 171 and 172 at a fast speed due to anemergency event, while emergency vehicle 160 has its lights and sirenson.

FIG. 2 presents diagram 200 showing the intersection of FIG. 1 whentraffic light 272, corresponding to traffic light 172 of FIG. 1, turnsgreen. As described above, due to the blocked view of the driver ofvehicle 110 and also the outside noise blockage, the driver of vehicle110 is neither able to see nor hear incoming emergency vehicle 160. Assuch, when traffic light 272 turns green, the driver of vehicle 110proceeds to cross the intersection, unaware of incoming emergencyvehicle 160, which will result in a collision between vehicle 110 andemergency vehicle 160.

Despite advances in accident avoidance technologies, such as collisionmitigation brake system (CMBS) and Blind Spot Detection (BSD), thedriver of vehicle 110 would still not be able to avoid the accidentdescribed above. For example, by the time emergency vehicle 160 iswithin the range of the Blind Spot Detector of vehicle 110, the driverof vehicle 110 would have very little chance to avoid the accident.

Turning now to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 presents an exemplary diagram of vehicle310 comprising system 311 for detecting external events and taking a setof actions in response thereto, according to one implementation of thepresent disclosure. Vehicle 310 may be any type of vehicle, such as acar, motorcycle, bicycle, boat, etc. System 311 includes microphone 330,camera 362, audio analog-to-digital converter 312, videoanalog-to-digital converter 364, hardware processor 313, and memory 314.Microphone 330 is an acoustic-to-electric transducer or sensor forreceiving sound or audio frequencies 380 and converting audiofrequencies 380 to analog audio signals. Camera 362 may be any cameracapable of taking still pictures or images, or moving pictures of videosof objects and surroundings external to vehicle 310, such as emergencyvehicle 360, people, traffic lights, street signs, store names,buildings, etc. Audio analog-to-digital converter 312 is a software orhardware device for converting analog audio signals generated by audiofrequencies 380 to digital audio signals for use by hardware processor313. Video analog-to-digital converter 364 is a software or hardwaredevice for converting images or videos obtained by camera 362 to digitalimage signals for use by hardware processor 313.

Hardware processor 313 may be any microprocessor or a similar hardwareprocessor used in a computing device. Hardware processor 313 is able toaccess memory 314 to store received input or execute commands,processes, or programs stored in memory 314. Memory 314 is anon-transitory hardware storage device capable of storing commands,processes, and programs, such as software applications, for execution byhardware processor 313. As shown in FIG. 3, memory 314 includes audiodatabase 316, which stores various known audios corresponding to, forexample, sounds of sirens, car horns, voice commands, etc. Memory 314also includes sound processing software 315 for execution by hardwareprocessor 313 to compare the digital audio signals, received from audioanalog-to-digital converter 312, with the known audios stored in audiodatabase 316 of memory 314. Sound processing software 315 also includesone or more actions that are executed in response to determining a matchbetween the digital audio signals and the known audios based on thecomparison.

In one implementation, hardware processor 313 may be configured toreceive digital audio signals from audio analog-to-digital converter 312based on exterior sounds or audio frequencies 380. After receiving thedigital audio signals, hardware processor 313 executes sound processingsoftware 315 to compare the digital audio signals with the known audiosstored in memory 314 to determine whether a match can be found. Inresponse to determining that audio frequencies 380 correspond to a sirenused by an emergency vehicle, for example, hardware processor 313 mayexecute one or more actions in sound processing software 315 to changesettings of a number of devices or components in vehicle 310. Thesedevices or components may include display 317, speaker 318, HVAC fan319, seat belts 320, lights 321, windows 322, steering wheel 323, etc.In addition, in one implementation, sound processing software 315 may beused by hardware processor 313 to determine a power level of the audiofrequencies 380 received by microphone 330, based on which soundprocessing software 315 may calculate a distance of a source of thesounds from vehicle 310. For example, if the power level of a siren ismeasured to be 80 dB, display 317 may show that an emergency vehicle is50 ft away, and if the power level of a siren is measured to be 50 dB,display 317 may show that an emergency vehicle is 100 ft away. Inanother implementation, hardware processor 313 may execute soundprocessing software 315 to determine a direction of audio frequencies380 using multiple microphones, such as microphones 431-437, used as amicrophone array, based on which sound processing software 315 maycalculate a position of the source of audio frequencies 380. In oneimplementation, microphone 330 may be used to detect a siren, and camera362 may be enabled in response to the sound to look for and locate theemergency vehicle and provide its direction of travel and distance fromvehicle 310.

In addition to audio database 316 and sound processing software 315,memory 314 also includes image processing software 366 and imagedatabase 368. Image database 368 stores various known imagescorresponding to various objects, including images of emergencyvehicles, images of human and animal shapes, traffic lights, streetsigns, store names, buildings, etc. Memory 314 also includes imageprocessing software 366 for comparing the digital image signals,received from video analog-to-digital converter 364, with the knownimages stored in image database 368 of memory 314, using various knownimage processing and detection technologies. Image processing software366 also includes one or more actions that are executed in response todetermining a match between the digital image signals and the knownimages based on the comparison.

In one implementation, hardware processor 313 may be configured toreceive digital image signals from video analog-to-digital converter 364based on an image of emergency vehicle 360 captured by camera 362. Afterreceiving the digital image signals, hardware processor 313 executesimage processing software 366 to process and compare the digital imagesignals with the known images stored in memory 314 to determine whethera match can be found. In response to determining that the digital imagecorresponds to an emergency vehicle, hardware processor 313 executesimage processing software 366 to change settings of a number of devicesor components in vehicle 310. These devices or components may includedisplay 317, speaker 318, HVAC fan 319, seat belts 320, lights 321,windows 322, steering wheel 323, etc. In one implementation, microphone330 may be used to detect a siren, and camera 362 may be enabled inresponse to the sound to locate the emergency vehicle and provide itsdirection of travel and distance from vehicle 310.

Display 317 may be a dashboard or a center display, which may display aspeedometer, a fuel gauge, a tachometer, oil pressure gauge, etc.Display 317 may also display messages or warning lights under thecontrol of hardware processor 313. Speaker 318 may be a speakerconnected to the vehicle's sound system that can be used for playingaudio messages, warnings and music. HVAC fan 319 may any fan used in avehicle for cooling, heating, or circulating air inside vehicle 310,which may be controlled by hardware processor 313. Seat belts 320 may bea smart seat belt system, which may be controlled by hardware processor313. For instance, seat belts 320 may tighten or loosened, under thecontrol of hardware processor 313, and in response to detection of anemergency event using microphone 330 and/or camera 362. Lights 321include a plurality of lights located on the exterior of vehicle 310,including headlights, taillights, and flashers as well as lights locatedon the interior of vehicle 310, including flashing lights on display317, etc. Lights 321 may also be controlled by hardware to processor313, in response to detection of an emergency event using microphone 330and/or camera 362. For example, hardware processor 313 may cause one ormore lights 321 to be turned on, in response to detecting an emergencyevent. Windows 322 may be automatic windows, including sunroofs, withelectrical motors in communication with system 311 for automaticallyopening and closing windows in response to receiving commands fromhardware processor 313. Windows 322 may also be controlled by hardwareprocessor 313, in response to detection of an emergency event usingmicrophone 330 and/or camera 362. For example, hardware processor 313may cause one or more windows 322 to roll down, in response to detectingan emergency event. Steering wheel 323 may also be controlled byhardware processor 313, in response to detection of an emergency eventusing microphone 330 and/or camera 362. For example, hardware processor313 may cause steering wheel 323 to vibrate, in response to detecting anemergency event.

In one implementation, system 311 and its warning actions may beselectively enabled and disabled. For example, a driver whose hearing isimpaired or is hard of hearing may selectively enable system 311 formonitoring external events, and may also selectively enable one or moreof actions using components 317-323 for alerting the driver, in responseto hardware processor 313 detecting an external event.

FIG. 4 presents vehicle 410 having one or more microphones and/orcameras for receiving sounds and images exterior to vehicle 310,according to one implementation of the present disclosure. For example,as shown in FIG. 4, one or more microphones 431/432/434/435 may beplaced in the front and rear bumpers, or any corner of vehicle 410.Further, one or more microphones 433/436 may be placed on each side ofvehicle 410. It should be understood by one ordinary skill in the artthat the one or more microphones may be strategically placed at variouslocations of vehicle 410 for detecting sounds exterior to vehicle 410.For example, in one implementation, one or more microphones431/432/434/435 may be integrated into parking sensors of vehicle 410.In one implementation, microphone 437 may be integrated into a radioantenna of vehicle 410. It should be understood by one with ordinaryskill in the art that, in other implementations, microphone 437 may bestrategically placed at other locations on the roof of vehicle 410.Microphones 431-437 may be used to detect audio frequencies 480 andemergency vehicle 460, its distance based on power level and itsposition based on various power levels detected by each of microphones431-437. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, microphone 432 detects ahigher power level for audio frequencies 480 than microphone 432, whichindicates the direction of audio frequencies 480.

Vehicle 410 may also be equipped with cameras 461 and 463. Each ofcameras is configured to receive still and/or moving images, such as animage of an emergency vehicle, image of a human being, etc. Cameras 461and 463 may be strategically placed at different location of vehicle 410to cover a larger area for taking images. FIG. 5 illustrates diagram 500showing first vehicle 510, second vehicle 550, and emergency vehicle560, where first vehicle 510 corresponds to vehicle 310 of FIG. 3, andis equipped with hardware processor 513 connected to microphone 537,display 517 and memory 514 storing known audios. FIG. 5 depicts asituation similar to that of FIG. 1, where first vehicle 510 is blockedby second vehicle 550, and the driver of first vehicle 510 is unable tosee or hear incoming emergency vehicle 560.

In the implementation of FIG. 5, microphone 537 of first vehicle 510receives sounds having one or more audio frequencies, which areconverted to digital audio signals by an audio analog-to-digitalconverter (not shown). In such an implementation, hardware processor 513may determine that the audio frequencies correspond to siren sounds ofan emergency vehicle by comparing the audio frequencies generated byemergency vehicle 560 with one or more known audios stored in memory514. In response to making this determination, in one implementation,hardware processor 513 of first vehicle 510 may display an “EmergencyVehicle Detected” message on display 517 of first vehicle 510. As aresult, the driver of first vehicle 510, unlike the driver of vehicle110, will be alerted to incoming emergency vehicle 560.

In one implementation of the present disclosure, the audio frequenciesreceived by first vehicle 510 may include voice commands. In such animplementation, the voice commands may be issued by a driver of vehicle510, who is outside of first vehicle 510. The voice commands can bedetected using hardware processor 513 connected to microphone 537, andmemory 514 storing one or more known audio commands. For example, apresence or proximity of the driver to vehicle 510 can be detectedwirelessly using a smart key carried by the driver. Once the presence orproximity of the smart key is detected, hardware processor 513 may startprocessing audio signals received from microphone 537. Usingspeech/voice recognition, hardware processor 513 may recognize audiocommands issued by the driver, such as open/close windows, open/closesunroof, unlock/lock doors, unlock trunk, engine on/off, turn on airconditioning, play music, etc.

In one implementation, first vehicle 510, in one implementation, maydetect a plurality of smart keys, where each of the plurality of smartkeys is associated with a different driver. In response to detecting aparticular smart key, vehicle 510 retrieves a profile associated withthe particular smart key from the memory. As such, hardware processor513 recognizes the voice of the driver associated with the particularsmart key, and follows voice commands programmed by the driverassociated with the particular smart key. If the voice of the personhaving a smart key does not, however, match the voice stored in thesmart key's profile stored in memory 514, hardware processor 513 may notfollow the person's voice commands.

FIG. 6 presents flowchart 600 illustrating an exemplary method for useby a vehicle for taking one or more actions, in response to receivingand detecting audio sounds originated from outside the vehicle. Flowchart 600 begins, at step 605, with vehicle 310 receiving, usingmicrophone(s) 330, sounds originated from outside of vehicle 310. In oneimplementation, the sounds may include sounds of sirens originated byemergency vehicles, e.g. police cars or motorcycles, fire trucks,ambulances, etc. In another implementation the sounds may includeautomobile horns, whether a single horn or repetitive horns, sound of aperson screaming or shouting, and sounds of an accident. In yet anotherimplementation, the sounds may include voice commands by a driver ofvehicle 310 speaking outside of the vehicle.

At 610, vehicle 310 proceeds by converting the sounds received bymicrophone 330 to digital audio signals. Audio analog-to-digitalconverter 312 receives audio frequencies 380 of sounds originatedoutside the vehicle and converts them to digital audio signals for useby hardware processor 313. At 615, vehicle 310 proceeds by comparing thesounds with one or more known audios stored in memory 314. As describedin conjunction with FIG. 3, hardware processor 313 executes soundprocessing software 315 to compare audio frequencies 380 with knownaudios, having one or more audio frequencies, stored in audio database316 of memory 314. The known audios stored in audio database 316 mayinclude various sounds of sirens, car horns, voice commands, sound of aperson screaming or shouting, sounds of a loud accident etc. In oneimplementation, hardware processor 313 may continuously orintermittently search for audio frequencies emitted by emergencyvehicles (or any other known audios, such as those mentioned above),using microphone 330. The comparison performed by sound processingsoftware 315 may be a combination of detecting one or more audiofrequencies, as well as taking into account duration(s) of certainfrequencies and silences therebetween.

At 620, vehicle 310 proceeds by determining, in response to thecomparing, a match between the sounds and a first audio of the one ormore known audios stored in memory 314. After comparing the sounds withknown audios stored in memory 314, sound processing software 315 maydetermine a match, e.g. sound processing software 315 may determine thataudio frequencies 380 match an audio of an emergency vehicle siren. Inone implementation, based on the comparing, sound processing software315 may also determine the type of emergency vehicle, as well. Forinstance, sound processing software 315 may determine that audiofrequencies 380 match audio frequencies of an ambulance's siren bytaking into account not only the audio frequencies but duration(s) ofcertain frequencies and silences therebetween.

In one implementation, in addition to determining that, for instance,audio frequencies 380 match sounds of an ambulance's sirens, soundprocessing software 315 may also calculate a distance of the ambulancefrom vehicle 310. Based on the power level of audio frequencies 380received by microphone 330, sound processing software 315 may calculatethat the ambulance is within 200 feet of vehicle 310. In oneimplementation, based on the distance of the emergency vehicle fromvehicle 310, sound processing software 315 may take more actions toalert the driver of vehicle 310.

In another implementation, hardware processor 313 may execute soundprocessing software 315 to determine a direction of audio frequencies380 received by microphone 330. Based on the direction from which audiofrequencies 480 are being received. sound processing software 315 maythen calculate a position of the source of audio frequencies 380. Forinstance, if one or more microphones attached to the rear of vehicle 310receive audio frequencies with a higher power level than microphonesattached to other parts of vehicle 310, sound processing software 315may then determine that the audio frequencies are being generated by apolice car from behind, which is attempting to pull vehicle 310 over.

In yet another implementation, sound processing software 315 maydetermine more than one match between audio frequencies 380 and theknown audios stored in memory 314. For instance, sound processingsoftware 315 may detect sounds of two different sirens, one originatingfrom a fire truck and the other from a police car. In such animplementation, sound processing software 315 may determine both thedistance between each of the emergency vehicles and vehicle 310 and alsothe emergency vehicles' positions. For instance, if the fire truck iscoming towards vehicle 310 and is closer, sound processing software 315may first alert the driver regarding the fire truck and subsequentlyalert the driver of the police car, which is farther away from vehicle310.

At 625, vehicle 310 proceeds with taking an action in response todetermining a match between the sounds and a first audio. Once soundprocessing software 315 determines that, for instance, an emergencyvehicle is in the vicinity of vehicle 310, hardware processor 313proceeds to execute sound processing software 315 to alter settings ofone or more devices or components within vehicle 310. For instance,vehicle 310 may be traveling towards an intersection while speaker 318is playing music with a high volume, HVAC system 319 is circulating airwith a high fan speed, seat belts 320 in their normal state, and windows320 all closed. After detecting an emergency vehicle close by, hardwareprocessor 313 may perform one or more of actions 630-665. Actions630-665, respectively, include displaying a message, such as “Fire TruckApproaching from North East, 200 ft. Away” on display 317 at 630,lowering windows 323 at 635, lowering or muting the volume of speaker318 at 640, playing an audio message, such as “Caution . . . Police CarApproaching from Behind” using speaker 318 at 645, tightening seatbeltwebbings of seat belts 321 at 650, lowering the speed of the fan of HVACsystem 319 at 655, flashing lights 321 on display 317 or turning on theflashers on the exterior of vehicle 310 at 660, and vibrating steeringwheel 323 at 665. These actions or changes in the settings of variousdevices and components of vehicle 310 may take place in any order.

In addition, sound processing software 315 may react to different levelsof emergency in different ways. For instance, if an ambulance is 1,000feet away, sound processing software 315 may not even alert the driverof an emergency situation. On the other hand, if the ambulance is within200 feet of vehicle 310 and is traveling towards vehicle 310, soundprocessing software 315 may take all or some of the actions listedabove. Whether one or more of these actions are taken depends on anemergency situation grade that may be assigned to the situation by soundprocessing software 315. As a result, the grade assigned to theemergency situation may be a function of the distance of the emergencyvehicle from vehicle 310 and the position of the emergency vehicle.

After sounds of sirens, or other audio frequencies, requiring a responseby sound processing software 315 are no longer detected or it isdetermined by sound processing software 315 that alerting the driver isnot necessary, hardware processor 313 may revert one or all of thechanged settings back to their status prior to the change. For instance,after no sounds of sirens are detected, or it is determined that theambulance is getting farther away from vehicle 310, hardware processor313 may turn-up the volume of speaker 318, turn-up the fan speed forHVAC system 318, or loosen the seatbelt webbings of seat belts 310 etc.In one implementation, however, hardware processor 313 may maintain thechanged settings of one or more devices or components even for sometimeafter an emergency is no longer detected, or the emergency situation isdetermined to be less dangerous.

In the implementation where audio frequencies 380 include voice commandsof the driver of vehicle 310, the actions vehicle 310 may take inresponse to detecting the voice of the driver may include open/closewindows, open/close sunroof, unlock/lock doors, unlock trunk, engineon/off, turn on air conditioning, play music, etc. In such animplementation, these voice commands may be stored in memory 314beforehand, using microphones inside the car to record the driver'svoice. As described in conjunction with FIG. 5, the presence orproximity of the driver to vehicle 310 can be detected wirelessly usinga smart key carried by the driver. To assure detection, the smart keymay need to be within a specific range of vehicle 310. Once the presenceor proximity of the smart key is detected, hardware processor 313 maystart searching for voice commands and subsequently process any audiosignals received from microphone 330.

FIG. 7 presents flowchart 700 illustrating a method for use by a vehiclefor taking one or more actions in response to receiving and detectingimages of events outside the vehicle. Flow chart 700 begins, at step705, with vehicle 310 capturing images of objects located outside ofvehicle 310, using camera(s) 360. In one implementation, the images mayinclude images of emergency vehicles, e.g. police cars or motorcycles,fire trucks, ambulances etc. In another implementation, the images mayinclude images of humans and animals. As described in conjunction withFIG. 3, camera 362 may be a camera used for electronic acquisition ofimages of scenes around vehicle 310.

At 710, vehicle 310 proceeds by converting the images received by camera362 to digital image signals. Video analog-to-digital converter 364captures an image of an object outside vehicle 310, such as an image ofemergency vehicle 360, and converts the captured image to digital imagesignals for use by hardware processor 313. At 715, vehicle 310 proceedsby comparing the digital image signals with one or more known imagesstored in image database 368 of memory 314. As described in conjunctionwith FIG. 3, hardware processor 313 executes image processing software366 to compare an image of emergency vehicle 360 with known imagesstored in image database 366 of memory 314. The known images stored inimage database 366 may include images of emergency vehicles, as well aspeople, traffic lights, street signs, store names, buildings, etc. Inone implementation, hardware processor 313 may continuously orintermittently capture images using camera 362.

At 720, vehicle 310 proceeds by determining, in response to thecomparing, a match between an image of emergency vehicle 360 and a firstimage of the one or more known images stored in memory 314. Aftercomparing the image of emergency vehicle 360 with known images stored inmemory 314, image processing software 366 may determine a match betweenimage of emergency vehicle 360 and an image of an emergency vehicle inimage database 366. In one implementation, using known image detectiontechnologies, image processing software 366 may also determine the typeof emergency vehicle as well. For instance, image processing software366 may determine that the image captured by camera 362 matches theimage of an ambulance.

In one implementation, in addition to determining the type of theemergency vehicle, image processing software 366 may also calculate adistance of the ambulance from vehicle 310. Based on how large or smallthe dimensions of the ambulance are in image 360, image processingsoftware 366 may determine that the ambulance is close or far,respectively. In another implementation, hardware processor 313 mayexecute image processing software 366 to calculate a position of theambulance relative to vehicle 310. For instance, in one implementation,if a camera attached to the right side of vehicle 310 captures images ofthe ambulance while a camera attached to the left side of vehicle 310does not, image processing software 366 may determine that the ambulanceis approaching from the right side of vehicle 310. Furthermore, imageprocessing software 366 may capture a series of images of the ambulance,and by comparing the distance and position of the ambulance in eachimage with the distance and position of the ambulance in previousimage(s), image processing software 366 may determine the direction oftravel for the ambulance.

In yet another implementation, image processing software 366 maydetermine more than one match between an image captured by camera 362and the known images stored in memory 314. For instance, imageprocessing software 366 may detect an ambulance and a fire truck to beboth present in a captured image. In such an implementation, imageprocessing software 366 may determine both the distance between each ofthe emergency vehicles and vehicle 310, and also the emergency vehicles'positions. Accordingly, image processing software 366 may first alertthe driver of vehicle 310 of the more imminent danger. For instance, ifthe fire truck is travelling towards vehicle 310 and is closer, imageprocessing software 366 may first alert the driver regarding the firetruck, and subsequently alert the driver of the police car, which isfarther away from vehicle 310.

At 725, vehicle 310 proceeds with taking one or more actions in responseto determining a match between the image of emergency vehicle 360 and afirst known image stored in memory 314. Once image processing software366 determines that, for instance, an emergency vehicle is in thevicinity of vehicle 310, hardware processor 313 proceeds to executeimage processing software 366 to take one or more actions by alteringsettings of one or more devices or components within vehicle 310. Forinstance, in one implementation, vehicle 310 may be traveling towards anintersection while speaker 318 is playing music with a high volume, HVACsystem 319 is circulating air with a high fan speed, seat belts 320 intheir normal state, and windows 320 all closed.

After detecting an emergency vehicle close by, hardware processor 313may alert the driver of the emergency vehicle by performing one or moreof actions 730-765. Actions 730-765, respectively, include displaying amessage, such as “Fire Truck Approaching from North East, 200 ft. Away”on display 317 at 730, lowering or muting the volume of speaker 318 at735, playing an audio message, such as “Caution . . . Police CarApproaching from Behind” using speaker 318 at 740, lowering windows 323at 745, tightening seatbelt webbings of seat belts 321 at 750, loweringthe speed of the fan of HVAC system 319 at 755, flashing lights 321 ondisplay 317 or turning on the flashers on the exterior of vehicle 310 at760, and vibrating steering wheel 323 at 765. These actions or changesin the settings of various devices and components of vehicle 310 maytake place in any order.

From the above description it is manifest that various techniques can beused for implementing the concepts described in the present applicationwithout departing from the scope of those concepts. Moreover, while theconcepts have been described with specific reference to certainimplementations, a person of ordinary skill in the art would recognizethat changes can be made in form and detail without departing from thescope of those concepts. As such, the described implementations are tobe considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Itshould also be understood that the present application is not limited tothe particular implementations described above, but many rearrangements,modifications, and substitutions are possible without departing from thescope of the present disclosure.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A vehicle comprising: a first microphone positionedto receive sounds originating from outside of the vehicle; a firstanalog-to-digital converter configured to covert the sounds received bythe first microphone to digital audio signals; a first key to be carriedby a first driver of the vehicle; a memory having a first plurality ofvoice commands stored therein; and a hardware processor configured to:detect proximity of the first key to the vehicle; enable a voicerecognition, in response to detecting the proximity of the first key tothe vehicle; process the digital audio signals received by the firstmicrophone, after enabling the voice recognition, to detect a firstvoice command of the first plurality of voice commands from the firstdriver; and altering a first setting of the vehicle, in response todetecting the first voice command from the first driver.
 22. The vehicleof claim 21 further comprising: a second microphone positioned toreceive sounds originating from inside of the vehicle; the hardwareprocessor further configured to: receive the first plurality of voicecommands from the first driver using the second microphone; store, inthe memory, the first plurality of voice commands associated with afirst profile of the first driver.
 23. The vehicle of claim 22, whereinthe hardware processor further configured to: retrieve the first profileof the first driver, in response to detecting the proximity of the firstkey to the vehicle.
 24. The vehicle of claim 21, wherein altering thefirst setting includes at least one of opening and closing a door of thevehicle.
 25. The vehicle of claim 21 further comprising: a second key tobe carried by a second driver of the vehicle; a memory having a secondplurality of voice commands stored therein; and a hardware processorconfigured to: detect proximity of the second key to the vehicle; enablethe voice recognition, in response to detecting the proximity of thesecond key to the vehicle; process the digital audio signals received bythe first microphone, after enabling the voice recognition, to detect asecond voice command of the second plurality of voice commands from thesecond driver; and altering a second setting of the vehicle, in responseto detecting the second voice command from the second driver.
 26. Thevehicle of claim 25 further comprising: a second microphone positionedto receive sounds originating from inside of the vehicle; the hardwareprocessor further configured to: receive the second plurality of voicecommands from the second driver using the second microphone; store, inthe memory, the second plurality of voice commands associated with asecond profile of the second driver.
 27. The vehicle of claim 26,wherein the hardware processor further configured to: retrieve thesecond profile of the second driver, in response to detecting theproximity of the second key to the vehicle.
 28. The vehicle of claim 25,wherein altering the second setting includes at least one of opening andclosing a door of the vehicle.
 29. A vehicle comprising: a microphonepositioned to receive sounds originated from outside of the vehicle; acamera positioned to receive images originated from outside of thevehicle; a first analog-to-digital converter configured to covert thesounds received by the microphone to digital audio signals; a secondanalog-to-digital converter configured to convert the images received bythe camera to digital image signals; a memory storing a sound processingsoftware, known audios, an image processing software, and known images;and a hardware processor configured to execute the sound processingsoftware to perform: comparing the digital audio signals with the knownaudios; determining, in response to the comparing, a match of one of thedigital audio signals with a first audio of the known audios; andenabling the camera to process the digital image signals using the imageprocessing software, in response to determining the match between one ofthe digital audio signals and the known audios.
 30. The vehicle of claim29 further comprising a display and a speaker, and wherein the processoris further configured to display a message on the display and play anaudio using the speaker, in response to determining the match betweenone of the digital audio signals and the known audios.
 31. The vehicleof claim 29 further comprising a seatbelt, wherein the processor isfurther configured to tighten the seatbelt.
 32. The vehicle of claim 29,wherein the hardware processor is further configured to execute thesound processing software to perform: determining a power level of thesounds; and calculating, based on the power level, a distance of asource of the sounds from the vehicle.
 33. The vehicle of claim 29,wherein the hardware processor is further configured to execute thesound processing software to perform: determining a direction of thesounds; and calculating, based on the direction, a position of a sourceof the sounds in relation to the vehicle.
 34. The vehicle of claim 29,wherein the sounds include siren sounds generated by an emergencyvehicle.
 35. A method for use by a vehicle including a memory storingknown audios and known images, the method comprising: receiving, using amicrophone, sounds originated from outside of the vehicle; comparing,using a hardware processor, the sounds with the known audios;determining, using the hardware processor, in response to the comparing,a match of one of the sounds with a first audio of the known audios; andenabling the camera to process images originated from outside of thevehicle, in response to determining the match between one of the soundsand the known audios.
 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the vehiclefurther includes a display and a speaker, and wherein the method furtherincludes at least one of displaying a message on the display and playingan audio using the speaker, in response to determining the match betweenone of the digital audio signals and the known audios.
 37. The method ofclaim 35, wherein the vehicle further includes a seatbelt, and whereinthe method further includes tightening the seatbelt, in response todetermining the match between one of the digital audio signals and theknown audios.
 38. The method of claim 35 further comprising: determininga power level of the sounds; and calculating, based on the power level,a distance of a source of the sounds from the vehicle.
 39. The method ofclaim 35 further comprising: determining a direction of the sounds; andcalculating, based on the direction, a position of a source of thesounds in relation to the vehicle.
 40. The method of claim 35, whereinthe sounds include siren sounds generated by an emergency vehicle.